MAYOR'S MESSAGE

Craig A. Stough 8/31/2006

"Funding Issues Approved"

Sylvania City Council approved several funding issues at their August 21, 2006 meeting that go beyond the City of Sylvania's borders to cooperate and participate with area wide initiatives and activities.

First, City Council authorized $56,706.69 for the purchasing of new police radios as a part of the countywide emergency services radio system now being built. The countywide radio system is a $35 million project funded by the Lucas County 911 levy and by state and federal grants. The project is designed to allow communication between fire and police throughout the county in emergency situations. The City's current stand alone radio system is more than a decade old and would have cost about $190,000 to replace.

City Council also authorized $3,577.66 to participate with the newly reorganized Lucas County Improvement Corporation (LCIC) for the remainder of 2006, and to include $7,155.32 in the 2007 budget for participation in 2007. The LCIC is an effort to coordinate and improve economic development activities countywide to bring new jobs and businesses in to Lucas County. This cooperative effort is needed, but does not require the "unigovernment" approach to accomplish it, as some have called for in the past few years.

Three funding issues that are more focused on the Sylvania community were also approved by City Council. First $5,000.00 was approved to support the "Shop Sylvania" program underway by the Sylvania Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is refocusing its efforts to promote business throughout the Sylvania community, and is seeking to raise over $100,000.00 for advertising and promotional activities to strengthen our local businesses. It's first activities were held during Jamie Farr week, with a tent at the tournament and a downtown street celebration.

Sylvania City Council also approved preparing legislation for $1,500.00 of support for "1^st Light Sylvania", an alcohol free New Year's Eve Family Celebration of the Arts in Sylvania. First held last year, many Sylvanians attended this event organized by Eddie Boggs and the Chamber of Commerce. The hours will be 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. on New Year's Eve, and gives Sylvania families a chance for a safe night out with entertainment right here in Sylvania.

Finally, City Council approved $6,250.00 to support the efforts of our Sister City Commission to continue building our international ties with our sister city, Woodstock, Ontario. The funding is intended to help send City resident members of our combined Northview and Southview Bands to march in the Woodstock Santa Claus Parade for the first time in four years. Our Canadian friends love the bands because Canada does not have high school marching bands in their schools. Each year, Woodstock sends representatives to our Fall Festival Parade. Incidentally, Woodstock has been very successful in economic development, recently winning a new Toyota assembly plant to be built in their community.